Tire for vehicles.



Patented Aug; 20, I90I.

F THEDDORE TIRE FUR VEHICLES. (Application led July l5, 1901.

. saine; and Fig. 3 represents a section, on an `enlarged scale, showingthe looking edges in detail.

` UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

FRANK TIIEODORE, OF GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA.

TIRE FOR VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 681,151, dated August20, 1901.

Application filed July 5, 1901. Serial N0, 7,2l2. (No model.)

cles; and I do hereby declare the following to l` be afull, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

` My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic tires, and has forits object to pro- `duce a tire that will loe` puncture-proof and moredurable in wearing qualities than the ordinary rubber tires as nowmanufactured. My invention also contains certain features `of noveltythat will hereinafter appear.

` In order to more fully explain my said invention, reference will behad to the accompanying drawings, whereinl Figure l representsaperspective view of a 1 `tire manufactured in accordance with myinvention attached to the rim of the wheel. Fig. 2 represents atransverse section of the The same letters are used to designate similarparts throughout the views.

A represents the rim or felly of the Wheel,

` l in the groove B of which rests the tire O.

The tire O is composed of an ordinary rubber inner tube D, inclosedbythe 'thicker outer casing E. i This outer casing has a structuresomewhat different from the ordinary` outer casing. It is made up of aninner layer i of canvas or other tough material F, an inl termediatelayer of rubber Gr, and an outer 4Q layer of canvas H and is dividedlongitudi- 1. nally, the edges P Q overlapping when the steel tire L isin place, these overlapping edges being adapted `to be separated whenthe steel i. tire is removed to allow access to the inner `45` tube orfor other purposes.

3 I I are a pair of annular rings, one attached upon each side of theouter casing, preferably near the crown of the tire, by means of therivets J J, spaced at regular intervals around lthe casing, or, ifpreferred, they may be cemented or otherwise fastened to the outer"casing E. These annularrings are preferably composed of some suitablemetal, such as steel, and have their outer edges bent back and doubledupon itself, forming a rounded hook or locking edge partially orcompletely encircling the tire.

L represents a tire constituting a sheathing, preferably made of thinsteel, provided with ridges or corrugations IVI toprevent slipping uponsmooth surfaces. This tire covers the crown of the outer casing and isprovided with overturned edges N N, forming a hooked or locking edgesimilar to the locking edge of the annular rings. These hooks or lockingedges N upon each side of the tire L interlock with the locking edges KK of the an- .nular rings I I and make a locking fit with the same.

Thus it will be seen that the tire L will not disengage itself whenpressure is brought to bear `upon the crown or tread of the tire, as thesides of the rubber tire will spread, carrying the rings I I with it,maintaining a tight locked connection.

The steel tire is placed upon the tire in the following manner: Afterthe overlapping edges P Q of the outer casing have been brought togetherand the tire has been partially inflated, so as to give it a roundshape, the end of the steel tire is brought into position, so that thehooks or locking edges N can be inserted behind the hook or lockingedges K K of the annular rings I I at the point O, where the ringsterminate. The steel tire is slid around the tire until it completelyencircles the same and is preferably of such a length that the endsoverlap several inches. The inner tire is then inflated, which causesthe steel tire to expand outwardly, causing the locking edges to gripeach other more tightly.` thereby preventing any sliding inotion aroundthe wheel. By providing an outer casing having its ends overlappedbeneath the steel tire a tight joint is always insured between thelocking edges, as said outer casing is free to expand and is onlyprevented by the steel tire. This feature also allows ready access tothe inner tube after the steel tire has been removed.

It is obvious that various changes and modiiications might be made inthe details of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof. y

Having thus described my said invention,

IOO

Y coveringsaid outer tire, and overturned edges upon said steel tireadapted to interlock with' the edges of said rings, substantially as de`scribed.

2. In a pneumatic tire, the combination with an inner tube, an outercasing composed of a layer of rubber, and a layer of canvas upon eachside thereof, and an annular ring secured upon each side of said outercasing, provided With an overhanging locking edge; of a steel tireadapted to cover said tire, and an overhanging edge upon said tireadapted to interlock with said locking edges upon the annular rings,substantially as described.

3. In a pneumatic tire, the combination Withtlie inner and outer tires;annular rings secured to said outer tire, and locking de- Vices carriedby said rings; ofa steel tire adapted to cover said outer tire,longitudinal ridges upon said steel tire, and means carried by saidsteel tire for interlocking With the locking devices of said rings,substantially as described. Y

4. In a pneumatic tire, the combination with an`inner tube, an outercasing divided longitudinally along its crown, the edges of the dividedportion being adapted to overlap, said tire being composed of a layer ofrubber, and a layer of canvas upon each side thereof, and an annularring secured upon each side of said outer casing, provided with anoverhanging locking edge; of a steel tire adapted to cover said outercasing, and locking devices carried thereby adapted to interlock Withsaid rings, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK THEoDoRE.

Witnesses:

W. B. LAINE, A. L. ScoTT.

